Breathing Easy: Could Deep Breaths Be the Secret to a More Productive Workplace?
In the fast-paced world of business, stress is an unwelcome but common companion. But what if a simple, age-old practice held the key to unlocking a calmer, more focused work environment?
Imagine starting your workday with a few moments of stillness, taking slow, deliberate breaths. That’s exactly what employees at Myosin Marketing in Austin, Texas, do at the start of every Zoom meeting. Their CEO, Sean Clayton, leads them through a brief deep-breathing exercise before diving into the agenda.
"At first, they thought it was really weird," Clayton admits, "like ‘What are we doing?’"
But after a couple of weeks, something shifted. Employees began reporting feeling calmer and more prepared to tackle creative challenges. "This feels good," they’d say.
And they’re not alone. Numerous studies have shown the powerful impact of deep breathing exercises on reducing stress and anxiety. The American Heart Association warns that chronic, unmanaged stress can be as dangerous as secondhand smoke, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Deep breathing offers a powerful antidote, lowering blood pressure and calming racing thoughts.
Lisa Marie Deleveaux, a marketing professional and mother of five, swears by the benefits of deep breathing. After losing her job several months ago, she found solace in practicing mindfulness techniques, including alternate nostril breathing – a yoga practice where you inhale through one nostril, exhale through the other, and repeat.
“It relaxes my mind. It makes my mind so full of ease," Deleveaux shares.
She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing her wellbeing, even amidst the chaos of job searching. "If you set a priority for yourself… you can make the time.
Cardiologist Glenn Levine, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, compares the effect of deep breathing to restarting a computer bogged down by too many open programs. “Turning your computer off when you have 37 programmes (open) and it freezes,” he explains, jokingly.
But how can busy professionals fit deep breathing into their already packed schedules?
Levine recommends scheduling a few minutes of deep breathing while enjoying a coffee break or taking a short walk outdoors. “Either turn off your screen or just put something blank on the screen so people think you’re still working,” he suggests. “Instead of focusing on the screen or work, just focus on your breathing. If possible, close your eyes."
For sales development representative Lindsay Carlisle, deep breathing exercises are a lifeline before starting a day of potentially stressful phone calls. She schedules time with her seven-year-old daughter before school to practice a simple breathing pattern.
“Throughout that process, my shoulders start to drop on their own, and it really is calming,” Carlisle explains. “I’m not a yoga instructor. I don’t know what I’m doing, but it works.”
That sentiment seems to resonate with many. Suze Yalof Schwartz, a former fashion editor, was transformed by a three-minute meditation technique learned from her mother-in-law. She left her demanding career and founded Unplug Meditation, a company offering meditation programs to individuals and corporations alike.
"When we slow down our breath, we send a signal to our brain that everything’s okay, even when it’s not,” she explains.
Her Box Breathing technique, popular among first responders and corporate clients alike, involves inhaling for four counts, holding for four, exhaling for four, and holding again for four.
Companies like Coca-Cola, Mattel, and Netflix have turned to Unplug Meditation to help their employees manage stress and improve focus through breathing and mindfulness techniques.
Even in high-pressure environments like retail, where employees are constantly interacting with customers, Yalof Schwartz encourages incorporating breathing exercises into daily routines.
“You can also take a deep breath right before walking through a door,” she advises.
For Carlisle, the key is simply remembering to breathe. “The anxiety is always going to be there,” she acknowledges, “but at least I know I have one small tool… It sounds so simple and silly, but it works.”
Maybe taking a moment to breathe deeply is the key to unlocking a more productive and balanced work life.
## Breathing Easy: Coudl deep Breaths Be teh Secret too a More Productive Workplace?
**An Interview with Dr. Sarah Chen, Clinical Psychologist adn Stress Management Expert**
**World-Today-News.com:** The story of Myosin Marketing in Austin, Texas, where employees begin Zoom meetings with guided deep breathing, has sparked a lot of interest. Could somthing as simple as deep breathing really be the key to a more productive and less-stressed workplace?
**Dr. Chen:** Absolutely! while it may sound simple, deep breathing techniques are incredibly powerful tools for stress management. They tap into our body’s natural relaxation response,effectively calming the nervous system and counteracting the harmful effects of stress.
**World-Today-News.com:** How exactly does deep breathing work to reduce stress?
**Dr. Chen:** When we’re stressed, our bodies go into “fight-or-flight” mode. Our heart rate and breathing quicken, muscles tense, and our minds become cluttered with anxious thoughts.Deep, slow breathing helps to shift us out of this state by:
* **Slowing the heart rate:** deep breaths signal to the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in regulating our heart rate and calming the nervous system.
* **Lowering blood pressure:** By slowing breathing and relaxing muscles, deep breaths help lower blood pressure, reducing strain on the cardiovascular system.
* **Increasing oxygenation:** Deep breaths deliver more oxygen to the brain, improving focus and clarity.
* **Calming the mind:** Focused breathing provides a mental anchor, pulling our attention away from racing thoughts and anxieties.
**World-Today-News.com:** Myosin Marketing’s CEO, Sean Clayton, reported noticeable benefits in employee focus and creativity after implementing this practice. Is there scientific evidence to support these claims?
**Dr.Chen:** Yes, there’s a growing body of research demonstrating the positive effects of deep breathing on cognitive function. Studies show that practicing deep breathing techniques can:
* Improve concentration and attention span.
* Enhance working memory.
* Boost creativity and problem-solving abilities.
**World-Today-News.com:** what advice woudl you give to employers who want to incorporate deep breathing exercises into their workplace?
**Dr. Chen:** I highly reccommend it! It’s a simple, cost-effective way to invest in employee wellbeing and productivity.
Start with:
* **Brief, guided sessions:** Even just a few minutes of guided deep breathing at the beginning of meetings, as Myosin marketing does, can make a difference.
* **Providing resources:** Share data about the benefits of deep breathing and offer access to guided meditation apps or online resources.
* **Creating a supportive surroundings:** Encourage participation without making anyone feel pressured. Emphasize the benefits for overall wellbeing, not just work performance.
**World-Today-News.com:** Deep breathing seems like a win-win situation for both employees and employers.
**Dr. Chen:** Exactly. By taking a few moments to breathe deeply, individuals can reduce stress, enhance focus, and unlock their full potential, leading to a more productive and happier workplace for everyone.
